Handicapper Research

This year, the Capital One Bowl will feature two top-20 teams, as
Nebraska of the Big Ten takes on South Carolina of the SEC in the
Capital One Bowl.

These teams have met three other times in their histories, but not
since 1987 – a 30-21 Nebraska win. In fact, the Cornhuskers are 3-0 in
the all-time series.

The latest Capital One Bowl odds list the Gamecocks as a 2-point favorite and the total at 46 points.

Nebraska

The Huskers started the 2011 season 7-1, but alternated wins and
losses over their last four games to finish 9-3 overall and 5-3 in
conference play, good for 3rd in the Legends Division of the Big Ten.
Nebraska also went 3-2 on the road this season, including a win at Penn
State.

Nebraska ranks 39th in the nation in points allowed (23 points per
game) and gives up 351 yards per game (189 passing, 162 rushing) while
compiling 17 sacks and forcing 18 turnovers one of which was returned
for a TD (Austin Cassidy, fumble).

Lavonte David leads the defensive unit with 122 tackles (45 more than
anyone else), two interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble
recoveries, while Cameron Meredith has a team-best five sacks.

Martinez completes 56 percent of his passes for 1,973 yards and 12
TDs with seven interceptions. The offensive line allowed 15 sacks. Kenny
Bell is the top pass-catcher with 29 receptions for 408 yards and two
TDS, while Brandon Kinnie has 22 catches for 257 yards and a score.

South Carolina

The Gamecocks finished the regular season with a win over Clemson,
giving them a 10-2 record overall and 6-2 record in SEC play (good for
2nd in the East). The Clemson win was their third-straight to end the
season and they enter the Capital One Bowl with a 4-1 record on the
road.).

The Gamecocks rank 13th nationally in points allowed (19 ppg) and
gives up 269 yards per game (136 rushing, 133 passing) while recording
25 sacks and forcing 30 turnovers five of which have been returned for
TDs (Melvin Ingram and Antonio Allen, three fumbles; Allen and Devin
Taylor, interceptions).

Allen leads this unit with 81 tackles, three interceptions and three
fumble recoveries, along with four forced fumbles. Ingram has a
team-best 8.5 sack and Jadeveon Clowney has five forced fumbles.

On offense, South Carolina ranks 45th nationally in scoring (30 ppg)
while posting 375 total yards per game (198 rushing, 177 passing).

The offense is anchored by three players Marcus Lattimore, Brandon
Wilds and Connor Shaw with a combined 1,787 rushing yards and 20
touchdowns on 4.6 yards per carry. Shaw has completed 65 percent of his
passes for 1,218 yards and 12 TDs with six INTs, while Alshon Jeffery is
the top receiver with 45 receptions for 614 yards and seven touchdowns.